Valencia prohibits use of fire in forestry areas during Semana Santa and Easter

The Ministry of Environment, Infrastructure, and Territory has reminded residents and visitors alike that extraordinary measures for the prevention of forest fires are in effect during the Semana Santa and Easter period, prohibiting the use of fires in forested areas or within a proximity of less than 500 metres.

These measures are adopted in accordance with the forestry regulations, approved by Decree 91/2023, for the period from Jueves Santo (Maundy Thursday) to the Monday immediately following Easter Monday, traditionally known as Lunes de San Vicente; that is, from April 17th to 28th inclusive.

The Director-General of Forest Fire Prevention, Rosa María Tourís, explained that it has long been a tradition that a large number of people gather in the region’s forested areas during the Easter period and reminded them that they should enjoy them but “with extreme care and respect for all prevention measures, as we must cherish them, because they are part of us“.

The Measures Put in Place

The extraordinary measures establish that, in forestry areas and on adjacent land within a proximity of less than 500 metres to forestry areas, the burning of crop debris or agricultural or forestry residues, the burning of reed beds, cane fields, or scrublands linked to any type of livestock, hunting, or any other type of exploitation, as well as the distillation of aromatic plants and wood or lime kilns, are prohibited.

Likewise, all authorizations for the burning of crop or plant residues generated in the agricultural environment granted for those dates will also be suspended in local burning plans.

Campaign Stop al Foc 2025

Recently, the Ministry of the Environment launched the “Stop al Foc 2025” campaign, which this year focuses on people and the value placed on natural heritage. For this reason, “the messages focus on appealing to that sense of caring for our forests as if they were our own, as if they were our family,” Tourís explained.

Ultimately, the objective is for forest fire prevention “to become a daily commitment for the entire society, along with the actions taken by the various public administrations,” the Director General concluded.

It is worth noting that the Generalitat Valenciana, through the Ministry of Emergencies and the Interior and the Ministry of Environment, Infrastructure, and Territory, has activated the extraordinary forest fire prevention and extinguishing operation for Semana Santa and Easter. This operation will consist of 1,357 personnel and will take place between April 17th and 28th.

Likewise, during Semana Santa and Easter, preventive measures will be adopted under the maximum forest fire risk level (pre-emergency level 3). Furthermore, a reconnaissance flight by the Generalitat’s aerial resources is planned to conduct preventive surveillance routes loaded with water and fire retardant. To this end, various routes have been established throughout the three provinces, especially in the areas with the largest forest cover.